MAN INDICTED IN CREDIT CARD FRAUD SCHEME

According to the Houston Chronicle, a federal grand jury in Louisiana has accused a former city worker and a second man of using city credit cards to steal gasoline. The Houston Chronical reports that the credit cards were used more than 3,800 times over two years and over $400,000 worth of gasoline was stolen.

The two men were encountered by law enforcement pumping gas into a 500-gallon container in mid-October, according to the indictment. The gas was then being sold at a cut rate, and the men would divide the proceeds. 

According to the Insurance Information Institute, credit card fraud was the number one category for identity theft in 2019.  Identity theft victims spend countless hours and dollars disputing credit report errors to clear their good names. Identity theft victims may be denied credit, employment, housing or insurance because of fraudulent information on their credit reports. Others identity theft victims may receive collection calls or letters for accounts that do not belong to them and were opened without their permission.

How Do I Protect Myself from Identity Theft?

Deter identity theft.

Deter suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your credit card billing statements and credit reports. Be on the lookout for credit card charges that you id not authorize or receive any goods. Guard your credit card account information and do not share it with others over the telephone or on websites that are not secure.

Detect identity theft.

Check your credit reports regularly. You have the right to obtain your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. In order for you to get the report, you must ask for it. Click here to download the Free Annual Credit Report Request Form. Simply print the form, fill it out, and mail it to the address listed. 

Defend against identity theft.

Carefully review your credit reports. Make a list of all fraudulent information on any of your credit reports. Dispute any credit report errors that you find to Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  You should keep a copy of your dispute letter to the credit bureaus. You should also send your credit report disputes by certified mail. Click here for a free sample credit report dispute letter. 

Are you an identity theft victim? 

Has an identity thief opened accounts in your name? Does your credit report contain fraudulent information?  Have you disputed the credit report errors to Equifax, Experian or Trans Union?

The Adkins Firm represents identity theft victims and helps them clear their good names. Attorney Micah Adkins has prosecuted over 200 cases on behalf of consumers in federal court across the United States.  Contact us to schedule a free case review.  Remember, it’s your credit report!